Getting through to NYS Department of Labor on the phone to ask questions about your benefit amount can be really frustrating with their call volume. I was stuck trying to reach them for days until I found Claimyr - it's a service that helps you get connected to actual agents. Check out claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made it so much easier to get my questions answered about my weekly benefit calculation.

Just wanted to share my experience - I was making around $48k at a retail management job and my weekly benefit came out to $368. The process took about 3 weeks from filing to getting my first payment, but once it started it's been pretty consistent. One thing that helped me was setting up direct deposit right away instead of waiting for the debit card - payments hit my account faster that way. Also make sure you certify for benefits every week on time, even if there are technical issues with the website. You can always call to certify if the online system is down.

Common adjudication reasons include verifying you were laid off (not fired for cause), confirming your work history and wages, or checking if you're able and available to work. As long as you were honest on your application and eligible for benefits, adjudication usually resolves in your favor. The key is patience and continuing to file weekly claims throughout the process.

One more thing to add - when you file your initial claim, don't be surprised if the website is slow or crashes, especially on Mondays. The NY.gov system gets overloaded frequently. Try filing early in the morning or late at night when there's less traffic. Also, make sure you have all your documents ready before you start - previous employer addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. The system will time out if you take too long to complete the application. And definitely save/screenshot your confirmation number when you finish filing - you'll need it for reference.

The whole system is so confusing no matter what age you are!! I'm 45 and still get overwhelmed by all the requirements and forms. At least being older means you probably have more work history to qualify with higher benefit amounts.

I'm glad you asked this question - it's a common misconception that there's an age limit! I work with a lot of folks in career transitions and can confirm that New York State doesn't have any maximum age restrictions for unemployment benefits. What matters is that you're able and available to work, actively seeking employment, and meet the standard eligibility requirements. At 67 with 8 years at your last job, you likely have strong work history that should qualify you for benefits. Don't let anyone discourage you from filing - you've earned these benefits through your contributions to the system. File as soon as possible since there can be a waiting period, and make sure to document your job search activities from day one.

Another thing to consider - if your employer is making you work doubles without notice, that could potentially violate labor laws around scheduling. NY has some protections for retail workers regarding advance notice of schedules. You might want to look into whether they're breaking any "predictive scheduling" rules, as that could strengthen your good cause argument. Also, keep records of when you were told about schedule changes vs when you actually had to work - timestamps matter. Even text messages saying "hey can you come in today" when it wasn't your scheduled day can be useful evidence.

I went through a similar situation last year with a hostile manager and constant schedule changes. One thing that really helped my case was keeping a detailed journal - dates, times, what was said, who was present. I also started forwarding myself any work-related texts or emails to create a backup. The NYS DOL adjudicator told me later that having specific dates and examples made all the difference. Don't just document the big incidents - keep track of the small stuff too like being forced to stay late without notice or being spoken to inappropriately. It all adds up to show a pattern of unreasonable working conditions. Also, if you have any coworkers who witnessed these issues, get their contact info now in case you need witness statements later. Good luck!

One more thing to add - sign up for ID monitoring through your credit card company or bank if they offer it free. Also, if you get any unexpected mail from NYS Department of Labor about claims you didn't file, report it immediately. I've seen cases where fraudsters test the system with small amounts first before going for bigger thefts. And definitely keep your personal info like SSN off social media - scammers piece together details from multiple sources.

Great question! I work in cybersecurity and deal with this stuff daily. A few additional tips: Use a unique, strong password that you don't use anywhere else (consider a password manager), and regularly review your account's "recent activity" or login history if NYS DOL provides that feature. Also, be suspicious of any unexpected text messages or calls asking you to verify account info - legitimate agencies won't ask for passwords or PINs over the phone. If you do suspect fraud, document everything (screenshots, dates, times) before reporting it. The more evidence you have upfront, the faster the resolution process typically goes.